Oh, to be young and able to see things as only black or white, good or bad, right or wrong. You might find yourself having such thoughts when you see The Wise Kids, the new DVD release from award-winning writer-director Steven Cone and Wolfe Video.
The film follows the lives of three friends. Molly Kunz is Brea, a pastor’s daughter, who is as sensitive and reflective as her best friend Laura (played Allison Torem) is intensely devout. Tyler Ross is Tim, their longtime buddy who has recently “come out.”
The friends’ intertwining stories take place in that restless and often-strange transitional space between high school and college, when the world seems like little more than what can be immediately found, seen, heard, and experienced in their small Southern town.
“My dad is still a Southern Baptist preacher, so I grew up in that environment,” Cone said. He attended church “at least three times a week for the first 18 years of my life,” he said.
Movies offered some escape, he said. As a kid, he first found inspiration in a book about the making of Star Wars.
“That changed my life!” he said. “Soon I was drawing my own movie posters in a notebook and reading every word of every capsule review in the weekly TV guide.”
In no time, he knew he would grow up to do something involving movies – he just wasn’t sure what it would be.
Cone gets his themes across subtly in Wise Kids, and he never settles for easy answers. These childhood friends are about to strike out into the wider world, and he uses that as a metaphor for their expanding consciousness. He also frames the action between several holiday events, opening with an Easter play and ending with a Christmas pageant. In doing so, he cleverly symbolizes not just the turn of the seasons, but also the changing and maturing of the three young people. The nativity signifies a new beginning – the “birth” of the next phase of their lives.
By not making any one individual storyline the sole focus, Cone makes the entire piece much more dramatically satisfying.
“I see it as a communal portrait – a tapestry,” he explains. “I never intended the sexual elements to stick out from Brea’s crisis of faith, Laura’s losing her friends, or anything else.”
He presents Tim as a teen perfectly fine with both who he is and his beliefs. His easy-going father supports him in this, even if the rest of his family (and community) aren’t so open-minded.
When he casually verifies that he does indeed have same-sex inclinations, Laura tells him, “I double-checked, and it’s definitely wrong.”
“OK,” he replies simply, later chuckling to Brea, “Uh … that went well.”
In many ways, Laura is the touchstone for all the action. She believes in a strict, literal interpretation of the Scriptures, and all the goings-on around her only solidify her convictions.
“If you just pick and choose what you like out of the Bible, why is it even important?” she asks. “It‘s the word of God. … We don’t have to like it, but it either is or it isn’t – otherwise, what does it mean?”
Little surprise, but still bittersweet, is how, when her two friends return home for the holidays, she finds she has little in common with them and contentedly lets them all go their own ways. Think what you will of her, though. Laura’s belief is pure and at its very worst, naive.
Laura’s narrowly defined view of spirituality leads Brea to question her own faith, determining that much of what she has been told doesn’t make sense when looked at through modern eyes.
At one point, while helping her rehearse her role as Mary Magdalene in a play, Tim feeds Brea the line, “Why are you so sad?” She pauses momentarily, genuinely unable to answer.
Several secondary characters prove as intriguing as the three leads. For example, Cheryl (played by Sadie Rogers) is the granddaughter of a lovable elderly parishioner. She shares none of the older woman’s beliefs, despite accompanying her to church every Sunday. Eventually, Cheryl even becomes something of a mentor for the questioning Brea.
“I’ve kinda been having my own …,” Brea tries to share with her, unable to completely voice her doubts.
“Yeah?” Cheryl asks nonchalantly. “Do something with them!”
Equally notable is Austin, a role that Cone himself portrays. At first glance, he’s a dedicated and happily married man. Secretly, however, he has a forbidden fascination with Tim – not because he’s into younger guys, but because the lad is one of the only gay people he knows (and certainly the only one at ease with it).
During one of the film’s most poignant scenes, Austin finally comes out to Tim. “I think I might be … like that,” he says with anguish, choking back tears. “And I don’t know what to do.”
Another terrific sequence has Tim and Brea getting together with Cheryl for a big night out at a dance club before the two go off to New York to study. Their evening is brilliantly interspersed and contrasted with Austin’s more subdued, “polite” anniversary evening with his wife. It’s obvious that the younger people are energized and maybe even a bit anxious over the possibilities the night may hold for them, while the married couple’s evening is fraught with underlying apprehension. The romantic awkwardness that all of them experience is deeply dissimilar -- in the kids’ case it’s endearing; for the presumably happy couple, it’s painful and empty.
One thing The Wise Kids never fails to be is life-affirming. Each of these characters is universal. After all, aren’t we all questioning at one time or another?
The DVD also includes a behind-the-scenes featurette, titled The Wise Kids: Religion vs. Sexuality. In it, Cone declares, “This is a humanist view of a religious group of people.”
He adds: “The film is observational. The lens doesn’t have a ‘spiritual filter,’ but I think that’s how we learn about each other.”
Above all else, the film’s creator feels that The Wise Kids conveys a simple but powerful truth: “Christian or atheist,” he says, “people are people.”
The Wise Kids is now available on DVD at retailers and video on demand destinations. For more information, go to www.wolfevideo.com.
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.